Apparatus for forming blanks from hot rolled wire stock



Aug. 9, 1938. w. w. CRILEY ET AL 2,123,453

APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLANKS FROM HOT ROLLED WIRE STUCK Filed Sept. 14,1936 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 m N a d M M P A C 6 W W K M w M m m w. m W m Y BMhwN I llwr L u J mm m ATTORNEY.

Aug. 9, 1938. w. w. CRILEY ET AL APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLANKS FROM HOTROLLED WIRE STOCK Filed Sept. 14, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVLNTOR. Mil/AMW Cp/zzy BY FfiPfDiR/C/r W 64mm 3 d WATTORNEY.

Aug. 9, 1938. w. w. CRILEY El AL 2,126,453

APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLANKS FROM HUT ROLLED WIRE STOCK Filed Sept. 14,1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 fig. 4

Aug. 9, 1938. w. w. CRILEY ET AL APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLANKS FROM HOTROLLED WIRE STOCK Filed Sept. 14, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR5 Y Q00,

WILL/AM W CR1- BY FREPIR/cK WGAWZJ did 3 ATTORNEY.

Aug. 9, 1938. w. w. cRlLEY ET AL 2,126,453

APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLANKS FROM HOT ROLLED WIRE STOCK Filed Sept. 14,1936 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Will/14M W Omar B f'prp p/c/ r Wfmmms 3rd Aug. 9,1938. w. w. CRILEY ET AL APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLANKS FROM HOT ROLLEDWIRE STOCK 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 14, 1936 fif knli||| 141 ll:.QEWL

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IN vENToR WILL/AM W 67m 6") a fkrofwxm Maw/W5 a rd Aug. 9, 1938. w. w.CRILEY ET AL APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLANKS FROM HOT ROLLED WIRE STOCKFiled Sept. 14, 1936 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 I N \"E NTORS m 74 N 3. m v w [MA um Ra w W. WK f Mm UM: a: m

Patented Aug. 9, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE no'rnonnsp wms STOCKWilliam W. Crilcy and Frederick W. Gaines, 3rd Cleveland, OhioApplication September 14, 1936, Serial No. 100,618

18 Claims.

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for producing blanksfrom wire or rod stock which has been produced by the hot formingmethods, and particularly to an apparatus for drawing to gauge,straightening, and cutting to proper length, the wire or rod stock,during con tinuous travel of the stock through the apparatus.

Heretofore, in the production of blanks from hot produced stock, thepractice has been to draw the stock from commercial coils throughreducing dies, and to recoil the same, in one machine, and, after alapse of time. to place the coils in a diilerent apparatus by which thedrawn stock is uncoiled, pulled through a straightening mechanism andthereby straightened, and then cut to length. This prior practicerequires separate machines and operators for each.

The dies in prior wire drawing machines are purposely offset or tiltedwith respect to the axis of the drawn wire in order to facilitate therecoiling of the wire after drawing. Such a die, in reducing the wire tothe desired cross section, bends the wire axially to the desired coildiameter.

The tensile strength of cold drawn wire increases several thousandpounds per square inch within twenty-four hours after drawing; thisincrease doubles within the next few days, and, after several months,increases an additional several thousand pounds. Concurrently, thisincrease in tensile strength is accompanied by a decrease in ductilityand an increase in hardness. The yield point of the stock, therefore, isat its lowest magnitude immediately after the drawing operation. If alapse of time is permitted to occur between the drawing and finalfinishing of the stock, additional drawing is difiicult to effectwithout annealing and consequently several gauges of drawn stock must bekept available for the production of different sized blanks.

Also, due to these increases in the tensile strength and hardness, andthe decrease in ductility of the cold drawn wire or rods occurring as aresult of a lapse of time after the drawing operation, a considerableamount of power is not only wasted in the straightening and cuttingmachine under the prior practise, but also is converted into damagingheat and wear, scoring of the equipment and the finished blanks withresultant direct losses due to the damaged blanks, wear of theapparatus, and time consumed while the machine is idle for changing theworn or damaged tool parts.

One of the principal objects of the present invention, therefore, is tounheated stock of this character by the steps of pulling the stockthrough suitable dies, directly from the commercial coil, to reduce itto drawn wire of the gauge desired. then pushing the drawn wire througha suitable rotary straightening mechanism immediately after itsreduction and without any delay, so as to relieve the wire andstraightener from stresses and wear resulting from passing the wirethrough the straightener after the wire has become additionally hardenedby aging, and thereafter immediately cutting the wire to the desiredlengths, and re moving the wire blanks from the path of the oncomingwire during continuous travel of the wire or stock.

More specific objects are to reduce the stresses in the wire during theformation thereof by pulling the wire through a drawing die. the centralaxis of which substantially coincides with the axis of the drawn wire,and concurrentLv pushing, instead of pulling, it through the rotarystraightener, so as to reduce the power required for passing the wirethrough the rotary straightener and die and also to relieve the wire andstraightening mechanism from heavy stresses, scoring and wear, all ofwhich inherently occur when the wire is pulled through both from a pointbeyond the straightener.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of this character which iscontinuous in its operation, which requires but a single operator, andin which a uniform rate of continuous travel of the wire through theapparatus is eflected.

Another specific object is to provide an apparatus having a rotarystraightener and fiying shear with a feeding means between the rotarystraightener and the flying shear such that the final length of thestock may be fed automatically and entirely through the apparatus.

Another object is to provide a flying cut-off and an instantaneousclutch and trigger mechanism cooperating therewith, wherein the combination is so arranged that inertia forces accompanying the operationthereof are small, and increased ease and speed in operation areassured, whereby constant and extremely close precision in the lengthsof the final blanks, compared to other flying cut-oil devices, iseffected.

Another specific object is to provide a new cutof! gauge cooperatingwith the flying cut-oi! for automatically controlling the length of theresultant blanks while permitting ra ld removal of the cut blanks fromthe path of the oncoming wire.

produce blanks from Further specific objects include the provision of acombination wire drawing, straightening and cut-oil machine whichoccupies less floor space than the total floor space now required byseparate machines, one machine for the drawing operation and anothermachine for the straightening and shearing operation, and whichfurthermore eliminates the labor in handling and transporting the stock.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingspecification wherein reference is made to the drawings in which:

Fig. l is a somewhat diagrammatic illustration of the operatingmechanism illustrating the path of the wire from the initial coil of hotrolled stock to the finished blanks and the operations performed thereonduring the passage thereof along such path;

Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevations, respectively,

of adjacent portions of the complete apparatus showing the broadcooperative relationships among the operating parts;

Figs. 4 and 5 are top plan views respectively, of the portions of theapparatus shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged and fragmentary side elevation of the apparatusshowing the clutch, trigger, and stock gauging mechanism for initiatingoperation of the flying shear mechanism;

Figs. '7 and 8 are side and front elevations, respectively, of theflying shear mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is diagrammaticallyillustrated in Fig. 1 and broadly comprises, in the order of operation,a short stroke stock starting mechanism I which is preferably renderedoperable only for the period required to start and initially force thewire through a stationary drawing die 2. After the wire is thus started,it is gripped by a positive feeding mechanism 3, having reciprocatinggrippers which alternately grip and release the wire to producecontinuous uniform tension on the wire and thus cause the wire to travelthrough the drawing die 2 at a constant rate of speed and to pass intoa. rotary straightener 4 through and beyond which the wire is pushed bythe feeding mechanism 3. Beyond the straightener I, the wire, afterpassing through driven feed rolls 5 which are driven in synchronousrelation to the wire, passes into a flying shear mechanism 6 controlledby an adjustable gauging device i, the gauging device being operated byan abutment engageable by the traveling stock to initiate operation ofthe flying shear for cutting the wire into blanks 8 of the desiredlength, the gauging device being operable to facilitate discharge of theblanks.

Referring in detail to the cooperating parts of the apparatus, theconstruction and operation of the short stroke stock starting mechanisml is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4, and includes a pair of grippingblocks arranged to be wedged relatively together into firm grippingrelation to the stock. For efl'ecting the gripping action, each block l0has wedge surfaces II cooperating through anti-friction rollers l2 withcomplementary wedge surfaces H! in a reciprocable housing II which isconstrained to travel in a straight path parallel to the path of travelof the wire or stock. Means are provided to reciprocate the housing H,together with the wedge blocks III, to and fro along the path of travelof the wire. The wedges coact to cause the gripping blocks arcane In togrip the stock when the housing moves in the direction of travel towardthe die 2 and push the stock, by successive operations, into thereducing die 2. During thereverse movement of the housing II, thegripping blocks are released by the wedge surfaces and thereupon releasetheir engagement with the stock. Thus, for the brief interval, duringwhich the stock is being introduced into the drawing die, the stock ismoved intermittently.

The housing I may be reciprocated in any convenient manner such, forexample, as by an oscillating lever I6 pivoted near its center on ashaft l1, one end of the lever l being connected to the housing I.through a shackle II. For oscillating the lever, the other end of thelever is connected to a power driven reciprocating push rod 20. In orderto render the lever idle when desired, the free end of the push rod 28may be detachably connected to the lever l6 by means of a notch 2| whichreceives a pin 22, rigid with the lever l6, so that the rod can belifted out of engagement with the pin 22. For lifting the push rod sothat the notch 2| is free from the pin 22, a lift rod 2!, having a pinprojecting from the lower end thereof and lying beneath the lower edgeof the push rod 20, is provided. If desired, the upper end of the liftrod 2| may be secured to a crank 26 rotatably mounted on the frame 01'the machine and rotatable through 180 by means of a lever 21 to causethe desired vertical movement of the lift rod 24 and concurrent movementof the push rod 20, so that the notch 2| is withdrawn from engagementwith the pin 22.

The stationary drawing die 2 is preferably rigidly fixed in a housing 30and is so positioned that the central axis thereof substantiallycoincides with the path of travel of the wire through the die. The ,dieis preferably removably secured therein by means of a. set screw ill,the housing 3|) being provided with a recess in which a lubricant, suchas aluminum palmitate, may be received and continuously applied to thestock as it is being drawn through the die.

Immediately beyond the drawing die is the positive wire feedingmechanism 3 which includes a plurality of wire grippers. In the formillustrated, a pair of grippers and 36 are provided. The grippers 35 and36 are preferably similar in construction and in the gripping operationto the gripping blocks IU of the short stroke stock starting mechanismI. In order to effect continuous and uniform travel of the wire, thegrippers 35 and 36 drive the wire successively in an overlapping timedrelation so that at least one gripper is driving the wire at all times.

For this purpose, the grippers may be reciprocated alternately towardand away from each other with uniform rectilinear motion respectively,each gripper gripping and driving the wire prior to the release andreturn of the other. To operate the grippers 35 and 36, a bell crank 38having spaced parallel arms 38a, and a rocking link 48 comprisingsimilarly spaced parallel arms, later to be described, are provided. Thegrippers 35 and 36 are carried on the bell crank and rocking link,respectively, the rocking axes of both the bell crank and link extendingtransversely of the path of travel of the wire and being spacedtherefrom. Therefore, if the grippers were secured in fixed position onthe associated bell crank and link, they would travel in an arcuate pathinstead of a. lineal path. In order to effect lineal travel of thegrippers, each is mounted in its associated crank or link for limitedbodily movement radially with respect to the rocking axis thereof andalso for limited rocking movement about an axis parallel to the rockingaxis. Since both the grippers operate in a corresponding manner, thegripper 35 only will be specifically referred to.

Referring to the Figs. 2 and 4, it will be noted that the gripper 35comprises separable clamping elements operably mounted in a housingwhich is pivotally secured on both sides to spaced slide members 31,slidably mounted in the ends of the arms 3841. These slide members 31are carried on pins 310, the axes of which at all times intersect theaxis of the traveling wire and extend at right angles thereto. The slidemembers 31 also are mounted for sliding movement radially of .therocking axis of the bell crank 38 relative to the bell crank arms 38a. Asuitable horizontal slide, as illustrated in Fig. 2 is provided in theframe of the apparatus for guiding the gripper 35 along the properlineal path parallel to the path of travel of the wire. The gripper 35is correspondingly mounted.

Thus it will be seen that the grippers 35 and 35 are free to move bodilyradially of their rocking axes relative to their respective arms 38a and48 and also to rock relative thereto concurrently, so as to remain in alineal path of travel in all positions of movement of the arms 38a and48.

Since both sides of the housing of the gripper 35 are simultaneouslyactuated by the spaced arms 38a through the medium of the pins 31a, andsince the axes of the pins 31a are constrained to move in a pathcoincident with the axis of the path of travel of the wire, it followsthat the gripper 35 exerts only a lineal force on the wire. In thisconstruction there is no lateral eccentricity between the line of forceon the gripper and the axis of support of the gripper and consequentlythere is no tendency for the grippers to cook in their mounting and bendthe wire during the drawing stroke.

To operate the grippers 35 and 36gbell cranks 33 and 39, actuated bysuitable cams 4| and 42, respectively, are provided. Cam followers 44and 45 respectively may be provided on the bell cranks and compriseanti-friction rollers mounted on the ends of the respective bell cranks.The followers 44 and 45 engage the cams 4| and 42, respectively. Thesebell cranks are shown mounted on a common shaft 46 which is preferablysecured to the frame of the machine.

For resiliently holding the cam followers 44 and 45 in pressureengagement with the cams 4| and 42 respectively, compression springs 41are provided. The springs 41 surround suitable eye bolts 48 each ofwhich is pivotally secured to a suitable extension on the associatedbell crank 38 or 33 as shown in Fig. 2. These springs react betweenstationary lugs on the frame and suitable abutments on the eye bolts,thus causing normal downward pressure on the extensions and consequentupward pressure of the roll followers 44 and 45 on the cams 4i and 42respectively. The springs 41 also act to return the grippers 35 and 36on the idle or return stroke.

The gripper 35 is actuated directly by the bell crank 38 and since thetwo wire grippers are spaced longitudinally of the path of the travelingwire, the gripper 3B, which is spaced longitudinally of the path oftravel from a common shaft 46, must be actuated by a link 48, provisionbeing made for operating the link 48 by a connecting rod 50 secured atone end to the bell crank 39 and at the other end to the link 48.

It should be noted that the cams 4| and 42 are substantially identicalin shape and size and are angulariy disposed with respect to each otheron a common shaft 52. The cams are so shaped and spaced anguiarly abouttheir axis of rotation that the wire gripping and driving portions ofthe cycle of one overlaps, slightly, the corresponding portion of the.cycle of the other. With the particular shape of cams shown forillustration, the cams are preferably offset circumferentially of theshaft through an angle of about 180 and the portion of each cam foreffecting the wire driving operation is over 180 in extent. The camsurface and bell cranks are designed to effect progressively changingspeed of travel of the cranks as they pass along different portions oftheir path of movement so as to compensate for the difference in radialdistance of the associated grippers with respect to the rocking axis ofthe bell crank and thereby effect uniform lineal travel of the grippers35 and 35. This re lation is such also that when the gripper 35 hasreached the end of its path of movement in the direction opposite to thedirection of travel of the wire, as shown in Fig. 2, the gripper 36 hassubstantially completed its wire driving movement in the direction oftravel of the wire. As the gripper 35 moves in the direction of travelof the wire, it immediately effects gripping action on the wire duringits movement and slightly before the gripper 35 has released the wireand started on its idle movement to the right. Conversely, when thegripper 35 has reached its extreme lefthand position, the gripper 35 hasreturned to its extreme right-hand position and partially moved in wiredriving direction therefrom, the gripper 35 is caused to release thewire. Thus, it will be seen that in effect, a hand over hand applicationof pulling force is applied to the wire in a manner such that uniformand continuous movement is imparted to the wire.

As the wire passes from the grippers 35 and 35, it is pushed therebythrough the rotary straightener 4. The straightener 4 comprises anarrow, elongated, horizontally disposed housing 55 having alongitudinal passage through which the wire is pushed by the wiregrippers. The housing 55 is mounted in suitable bearings 55 on the frameof the apparatus forrotation about itslongit'udinai axis and ispreferably driven by a separate motor 51 through the medium of pulleys58 and 59 connected by a belt 50. Mounted in the housing 55 and directedradially inwardly thereof are a. plurality of straightening tools 55which are adjustable radially from the exterior of the housing 55 andare spaced longitudinally of the housing with'respect to each other.Adjacent tools 65 lie diametrically opposite with respect to the wireand the inner ends thereof are positioned to extend slightly beyond theaxis of rotation of the housing 55. This produces a serpentine path forthe wire longitudinally of its path of travel. The passage along thispath together with the concurrent rotation of the housing 55 with tools55 around the wire straightens the wire as it is passed through thehousing 55.

As mentioned in the objects hereof, the wire passes from the drawing die2 and immediately enters into and passes through the rotary straightener4, and therefore the drawn wire passes through the rotary straightenerbefore the hardness is increased and the ductility decreased due to alapse of time after drawing. In

this condition, the amount of power required from the motor 51 to rotatethe rotary straightener is at a minimum. Since in straightening wire,the magnitude of the staggered relations of the tools 65 must beincreased as the hardness of the wire increases, a considerable elapsedtime between the drawing operation and the straightening operation, asin prior practice, necessitates a greater magnitude of the staggeredrelation of the tools and, therefore, more power for effecting thestraightening operation.

Consequently, as a result of the immediate passage of the wire from thedie 2 to the straightener 4, the wire is subjected to the straighteningoperation under the most favorable conditions therefor both as toinherent workability of the wire and as to the magnitude of the staggerof the tools 85. Thus this single change in practice eflects greateconomies in power, maintenance, and operating time, increases theuseful life of the apparatus, and reduces the number of damaged andscaried blanks.

Due to positioning of the feeding mechanism 3 in advance of thestraightener 4 along the path of travel of the wire, the wire is pushedthrough the straightener instead of being pulled therethrough in thecustomary manner. This effects a further saving in the power requiredfor straightening the wire and reduces the stresses on the wire andstraightening mechanism, as the wire is free to give and relieve thebinding pressure on the tools 85 with a consequent reduction infrictional resistance, whereas drawing the wire through such a rotarystraightener by force applied beyond the straightener in the directionof travel of the wire-tends to draw the wire into tight binding relationagainst the working faces of the tools 85 due to increased forcenecessary to pull the wire through the drawing die.

From the straightener 4 the wire passes between the power driven feedrolls 5 which are positively synchronized with the grippers 35 and 36through the medium of sprockets 18 and H connected by a roller chain 12.The sprockets l8 and II are drivingly connected by suitable gears, notshown, and are mounted respectively on shafts 52 and 53. Since the rolls5 are s nchronized with respect to the speed of the wire, theinstantaneous portion of the wire passing from the straightener 4 to therolls 5 is not subjected to tension. The rolls 5 are provided only fordriving the last portion of the length of a given coil of stock afterthe trailing end has passed beyond the grippers 35 and 88.

From the rolls 5, the drawn and straightened wire passes immediatelyinto the flying shear 8 by which it is cut into blanks of the desiredlength. The flying shear 6 (Figs. 7 and 8) comprises an elongatedhousing 15 arranged for rocking movement about a fixed rocking axis andcarrying at its outer end a stationary shearing block 18. The block I6is so positioned on the housing as to move in a relatively fiat arcuatepath substantially tangential to or coincident with the path of the wireduring rocking of the housing about its rocking axis. For shearingcooperation with the shear block 16 a shear block H is provided, theshear block 11 being mounted on and guided in the housing 15 forreciprocation therealong radially with respect to the rocking axis. Forreciprocating the block H, a reciprocating rod 18 is carried by thehousing 15 and is operated to eflect the shearing stroke during travelof the blocks with the housing along the path of the wire so that blanksmay be severed from the wire during the continuous travel thereof. Sincethe flying shear must operate with high precision and at relatively highspeeds, it is necessary that it be as light as possible and that theweight be distributed and arranged to reduce inertia forces to aminimum.

In order to mount the fly g shear and operating mechanism for obtainingthese results, the housing 15 is mounted for rocking movement on apivot. In the form illustrated this pivot includes a cam shaft 18 onwhich is mounted in circumferentially fixed position a cam 88 whichoperates the rod I8. For eifecting reciprocation of the rod 18 by thecam 88, a cam follower 8| is carried on the rod 14 and cooperates withthe cam 88 at the opposite side of its axis from the shear block ll sothat the block 11 is drawn positively radially inwardly on its shearingstroke.

To constrain the cam follower 8| to operating engagement with the cam88, the housing 18 is provided with a depending integral bracket portion82 on which is pivotally mounted a rocker arm 83, one end of the armbeing pivotally connected to the rod I8, as indicated at 84', and theopposite end being pivotally connected to an eye bolt 85. Operativelyinterposed between the eye bolt 85 and a suitable abutment 88 on thehousing I5 is a coiled compression spring 81 which is operative to urgethe rod I8, through the medium of the rocker arm 88, ina direction tohold the follower 8| firmly against the cam.

The cam 88 is configured and positioned with respect to the shaft I8 soas to operate the block ll on the shearing stroke while the housing IIis being moved with the traveling wire by the mechanism now to bedescribed.

For rocking the housing 18 about the shaft 18 in the direction of travelof the wire, a main rocker arm 88 is pivotally mounted intermediate itsends on a suitable shaft 8| which is secured in fixed position ontheframe of the apparatus, the rocker arm 88 being operatlvely connectednear one end to the housing 18 by a link 82. For rocking the arm 88, acam follower 82 is mounted on the other end of the arm and operativelyengages a cam 84, the cam 84 being mounted on the shaft 78 in fixedposition circumferentially thereof. The cams 88 and 84 operate in fixedrelation with respect to each other. The main rocker arm 88 ispositively driven by the cam 84 for driving the housing 15 in thedirection of travel of the wire.. For constraining the cam follower .88to firm operative engagement with the cam 84 and also for returning thehousing IS in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of thewire, the housing 15 has a rigid operating arm 85 to which is connectedan eye bolt 88. Operatively interposed between suitable abutments 81 onthe eye bolt 88 and an abutment portion 88 of the frame of the apparatusis a coiled compression spring 88 which is compressed upon movement ofthe housing 15 in the direction of travel of the wire and thereuponbecomes operative to return the housing toward starting position.

Even with the housing in returned position, however, the spring 88 ispartially compressed so that, through the medium of the link 82 and mainrocker 88, the cam follower 83 is urged firmly into engagement with thecam 84.

As mentioned above, it is desirable that the inertia forces be reducedto a minimum and for this purpose the cam followers and heavy operatingparts of the flying shear are positioned as near by as possible to andin balanced relation about the rocking axis or shaft 10 and the weightof the arms 02 and 05 and the associated moving parts are positioned asnear as may be in balanced relation to the weight of the arm 10 andshear block supporting portion of the housing 15. Thus the bulk of themoving parts is maintained with its center of inertia. as closely aspossible to the rocking axis of the flying shear.

It is necessary that the flying shear 6 be operable to sever blanks ofdifferent lengths from the traveling wire and for initiating theoperation of the flying shear at the intervals desired for providing aparticular length of blank, the adjustable gauging device I is provided.

The adjustable gauging device 1 includes an instantaneous, onerevolution clutch I00, of a well-known type, which is mounted on theshaft 10. The clutch has a continuously rotating part, not shown, whichis continuously driven by a suitable pulley IN, the pulley, in turn,being driven by a suitable motor I02 through a belt I03. The clutch Ihas a rotatable housing I04 having a suitable arresting abutment I05 andis operative to rotate the shaft when the housing I04 is released forrotation and to become drivingly disconnected from the shaft 10 when therotation of the housing I04 is arrested.

Thus by control of the rotatble housing I04 of the clutch I00, theoperation of the flying shear can be controlled. For arresting rotationof the clutch housing I01 and thereby rendering the clutch inoperative,a latching arm I00 is rockably mounted on the shaft ill for rockingmovement into respective positions to engage and disengage the arrestingabutment I05.

To eflect positive movement of the arm I00 into engagement with theabutment I05, an arm I" is provided, the arm I01 being operatively rigidwith the arm I06 and carrying at one end a cam follower I00 whichoperatively engages a cam I09 secured in fixed circumferential positionon the shaft 10.

For urging the arm I01 in a clockwise direction which would normallydispose the cam follower I00 against the cam I00, an arm H0 is rigidlysecured to the arm I01 and, through the medium of an eye bolt III, isoperatively connected to a compression spring H2. The cam I00 isprovided with a peak portion of maximum eccentricity with respect to theshaft 10 and which, when in engagement with the cam follower I 08, movesthe arm I01 toglispose the arm I00 in locking relation with respect tothe arresting abutment I05.

Since the clutch is to be operated intermittently only and then only fora single revolution, it is necessary to latch the arm I01 at the instantthat the peak of the cam I00 passes the follower I00 and thus retain thearm I00 in latching relation to the abutment I05.

To partially relieve the abutment I05 and the latching arm I05 fromsudden inertia shocks at the instant of arresting the clutch housing I04and the cam shaft 10, a brake 10b is provided on the shaft I0. The brake10b exerts a constant torque resistance or drag on the shaft during therotation thereof so that upon release of the clutch I00 from drivingengagement with the shaft 10, the speed of rotation of the shaft 10 andits associated parts is immediately greatly reduced by the brake and maybe stopped without appreciable shock by the abutment I05, and

thereupon, will be held in position until reengagement of the clutch.

To latch the arm I01 so that the arm I00 is in latching relation to theabutment I05, the arm I01 is provided with an extension H3 which carriesa latching shoulder H4. A cooperating latch element H5 is pivotallymounted on the frame of the apparatus, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 9,in position for cooperation with the shoulder III. The latch element H5is urged into latching position by a compression spring H5 which isinterposed between an operating abutment H1 on an eye bolt H8 connectedto the latch element H5 and an abutment portion on the frame of theapparatus. Thus by releasing the latch element H5, the clutch housingI04 becomes released and the clutch I00 becomes operative to rotate theshaft 10 for effecting one complete operation of the flying shear.During this revolution of the clutch housing I04 the arms I05 and I01are moved by the cam I09 in a. manner such that the arm I06 ispositioned to re-engage the abutment I05 and the extension H3 ispositioned to become re-engagcd by the latch clement H5. This actionplaces the arm I06 in engagement with the shoulder I05 thereby arrestingfurther operation of the flying shear. Thus the flying shear may becontrolled by controlling the latch element H5.

To render the operation of the flying shear automatic, a tension wire Iconnects the latch element H5 to a rocking lever I2I which is mounted ona suitable rock shaft I22 on the frame of the apparatus. Carried on therocking lever I2! is a. target or gauging element I23 which isadjustable relative thereto along the path of travel of the wire andwhich has, at its leading end, an abutment surface I24 disposed directlyin the path of the oncoming wire. The element I23 is pivoted to thelever I2I to permit the element to reciprocate along a substantiallylinear path.

Upon engagement of the traveling wire with the abutment I24, the leverI2i is rocked about its pivot in the direction of travel of the wire topull the wire I20 and thereby trip the latch element H5 to initiate theshearing operation.

For guiding the traveling wire from the flying shear intoengagement withthe abutment I24, a suitable inverted trough I25 is provided, the troughextending longitudinally of the path of travel of the wire. The troughI20 is normally closed at the bottom by a sliding plate I21. To permitrapid removal of the severed blank from the path of the relativelyoncoming wire, the plate I21 is supported on a rocker arm I28 which isoperated by a bell crank I29, the bell crank, in turn, being operatedthrough the medium of an eye bolt I30 and a compression spring I3I tohold the plate I21 in closed position with respect to the trough I25.For operating the arm I20 to remove the plate I21 from beneath thetrough I26, the eye bolt I30 is connected to an operating arm I32. Thearm I32 is connected in fixed relation to an arm I33 which carries a camfollower I34, this cam follower engaging the cam I35 on the shaft I0.The cam I35 is arranged with respect to the arms I32 and I33 so as todepress the arm I32 and thereby slide the plate I21 to open position atthe instant after the completion of the movement of the flying shear inthe direction of the traveling wire. In this manner the rod is guidedduring the shearing operation and into proper engagement with theabutment I24 and the severed portion is released at a proper time sothat it is dropped out of the path of the oncoming wire stock.

In order to facilitate removal of the sheared blanks, the abutment Imust be withdrawn rapidly from the end of the oncoming wire afterinitiation oi the operation of the flying shear B. To eflect thisremoval, a link I" is connected to the housing I! of the shear and isprovided with an abutment engaging the lever III ior moving the leverill only in the direction of travel of the wire. Since the radius ofrotation of the point of connection of the link I with the housing 15 isgreater than the radius of rotation of the point of connection of thelink I with the lever iii, the lever III is caused to move so that theabutment I24 moves more rapidly than the oncoming wire. The lever III isreturned to starting position by the link I" and shear housing Ii.

For driving the flying shear 6 and the continuous feeding mechanism I inproper relation to eifect synchronous travel of the grippers I5 and 3Band shear blocks 16 and 11 in the direction of travel of the wire, themain operating shafts I and I! carry sprockets 52a and Isa respectivelywhich are positively connected by a suitable chain drive Ill, as shown,or by suitable gears, if desired.

The blanks I, as they are sheared from the stock, are released from thetrough I25 and drop to a suitable chute H0 leading to a suitable hopperor rack.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. The combination with a drawing die and means to draw relatively heavyhot rolled rod stock continuously through said die to reduce the stock,of rotary straightening means receiving and straightening the travellingdrawn stock promptly after the stock leaves the die and during thecontinued travel of the stock.

2. The combination with a drawing die for drawing rod stock, and astraightener, of means interposed between the die and the straightenerfor continuously pulling stock material through the die to reduce thestock and immediately pushing the drawn stock through the straightener.

3. The combination with driving means for driving relatively heavy rodstock material continuously along a given path of travel, of a drawingdie in cooperation with the stock material closely in advance of saiddriving means in the direction of travel oi the material for reducingthe bar stock, and a straightener in cooperation with the formed wireclosely behind said driving means in the direction of travel.

4. In an apparatus for the purposes described, a drawing die, means fordrawing hot rolled stock through said die to reduce the stock and formoving the drawn stock continuously along a given path of travel, astraightener in cooperation with the traveling stock beyond said die inthe direction of travel, a flying shear in cooperation with thetraveling stock beyond the straightener in the direction of travel andoperative for shearing oi! lengths or the reduced stock during travelthereof, driving means to operate the shear and gauging meansoperatively connected to the driving means for controlling the operationthereof and of the shear to shear oil predetermined lengths of thestock.

5. In an apparatus for the purposes described, a drawing die, means fordrawing stock through said die to reduce the stock and for moving thedrawn stock continuously along a given path of travel, a straightener incooperation with the drawn stock beyond said die in the direction oftravel, a flying shear in cooperation with the traveling stock beyondthe straightener in the direction of travel for shearing oil lengths ofthe stock during travel thereof, driving means to operate the shear, andgauging means operatively connected to the driving means and operativeiyengaged by the traveling stock and operated by the traveling stock toinitiate cooperation of the driving means and shear in predeterminedrelation to the distance of travel of the stock material.

6. In an apparatus for shearing blanks from continuously traveling rodstock, means to drive the stock continuously along a given path oftravel, a living shear mounted for swinging movement along said path oftravel about an axis extending transversely oi said path and operablefor receiving the stock and for severing portions thereof during travelof the stock, means for actuating the shear to sever the stock, meansfor swinging the shear with the stock, a one revolution clutch operatingboth said means during revolution of the clutch, latch means operativein a predetermined position for constraining the clutch from rotation,yieldable means urging the latch means from said position, trigger meanscooperable with the latch means for holding the latch means in saidpredetermined position against the force of the yieldable means and forreleasing the same when the trigger means is moved to a releasingposition, said trigger means being movable to releasing position by thetraveling stock, means operative to restore the shear and trigger meansto their original positions upon completion of the shearing operationand resetting means operated by the clutch for restoring the latch meansto said predetermined position.

7. In an apparatus for the purposes described, a drawing die, means fordrawing stock through said die to form drawn stock thereof and formoving the drawn stock continuously along a given path of travel, astraightener in cooperation with the drawn stock beyond said means inthe direction of travel, a flying shear in cooperation with thetraveling stock beyond the straightener in the direction of travel forshearing off lengths of the stock during travel thereof, auxiliaryfeeding means in driving cooperation with the stock between thestraightener and flying shear, and gauging means operatively connectedto the shear for controlling the operation thereof to shear of!predetermined lengths of the stock,

8. In an apparatus for shearing blanks from continuously traveling stockmaterial, means to drive the stock continuously along a given path oftravel, a flying shear mounted for swinging movement along said path oftravel and operable for receiving the stock and for severing portionsthereof during travel of the stock, rotatable driving means foractuating the shear to sever the stock and for swinging the shearsynchronously with the stock, a one revolution clutch operating saidmeans during the revolution of the clutch, said clutch having arestraining abutment rotatable therewith, a lever engageable with saidabutment for constraining the clutch from rotation, resilient meansyleldably urging the lever out of engagement with the abutment, meansoperated by the clutch during rotation of the clutch for setting thelever into the path of rotation of the abutment prior to completion of arevolution of the clutch, trigger means for latching the lever in theset position in the path of the abutment, and means operativelyconnected to the trigger means and 'engageable by the traveling stockfor releasing the trigger means from the lever.

91in an apparatus for shearing blanks from continuously traveling barstock, means to drive the stock continuously along a given path oftravel, a flying shear movable along said path of travel and operablefor receiving the stock for severing portions thereof during travel 01'the stock, said shear comprising a rigid housing, means connected to thehousing and supporting the housing for rocking movement about a shaftextending transversely relative to the path of travel of the stock,shear blocks carried by the housing and movable relative to each otherfor shearing the stock, means carried by the housing and operable foreffecting said relative movement of said shear blocks, driving meansoperated by said shaft for rocking said housing in the direction oftravel of the stock and for concurrently moving said blocks with respectto each other, and means for returning said housing and blocks tostarting position.

10. In an apparatus for shearing blanks from continuously traveling barstock, means to drive the stock continuously along a given path oftravel, a flying shear movable along ,said path of travel and operablefor receiving the stock for severing portions thereof during travel ofthe stock, said shear comprising a rigid housing, a shaft extendingtransversely with respect to the path of travel of the stock and beingspaced from said path and supporting said housing for swinging movementto and fro along the path of travel of the stock, shear blocks carriedby the housing remote from said shaft and disposed in the path of travelof the stock, means operatively connected at one end to said shearblocks for operating said shear blocks to effect the shearing operationand extending along said housing and terminating at the other end closeto the rocking axis, cam means ccoperable with said last mentioned meansand rotatable about an axis coaxial with said rocking axis, meanscarried by the housing and driven for moving the housing in thedirection of travel of the stock, means for returning the housing tostarting position, and all of said means being positioned closelyadjacent the rocking axis of the housing, whereby inertia of the movingparts is reduced.

11. In an apparatus for shearing blanks from continuously traveling barstock, means to drive the stock continuously along a given path oftravel, a flying shear movable along said path of travel and operablefor receiving the stock for severing portions thereof during travel ofthe stock, said shear comprising an elongated rigid housing mounted atone end on a shaft for rocking movement about the axis thereof, therocking axis extending transversely with respect to the path of thestock, a fixed shear block carried at the other end of the housing, areciprocable shear block cooperable with the first shear block andreciprocable longitudinally of the housing, an operating rod connectedto the reciprocating shear block and guided by the housing and extendinglongitudinally thereof, a rotatable cam on said shaft, means operativelyconnecting said rod and cam for reciprocating said shear block, means torock the housing about said shaft for effecting movement of said shearblocks bodily along the path of travel of the stock in the direction oftravel thereof, and means for rocking the housing to return said blocksbodily to starting position along the path of travel of the stock.

12. In an apparatus for shearing blanks fron'i continuously travelingbar stock, means to drive the stock continuously along a given path of"travel, a flying shear mounted for swinging'rhove ment substantiallyalong said path of travel arid operable for receiving the stock forsevering "pordriving means is operatively disconnected from the shear, acontrol means for effecting substan tially instantaneous operativeconnection between the shear and driving means when the control means isactive and to effect a delayed disconnection of the shear and drivingmeans when the control means is idle, a trigger mechanism normallyholding the control means in idle conditibn, and being releasabletherefrom, and means engageable by the traveling stock for releasingthetrigger mechanism from the control means. means for rendering thecontrol means active substantially instantaneously upon release thereof,and means operated by the control means for restoring the triggermechanism to hold the control means in idle condition.

13. In an apparatus for shearing blanks from continuously travelingstock, means to drive the stock continuously along a given path oftravel, a flying shear movable along said path of travel with the stockand operable for severing portions from the stock during traveltherewith, driving means for driving said shear in the direction oftravel of the stock and for concurrently operating the same foreffecting the shearing operation, control means for operatlvelydisconnecting the driving means and shear, means for returning the shearto starting position, when the shear is disconnected, gauging means foroperating the control means into disconnecting position and beingmovable therefor by the oncoming stock in the direction of travel of thestock to a predetermined position, means for reconnecting the drivingmeans and shear when the gauging means is moved to said position by thestock, and means operatively connecting the shear and gauging means foraccelerating the movement of the gauging means in said direction beyondsaid position when the shear moves in the direction of the stock,whereby the gauging means is moved to spaced relation to the shearedstock to facilitate free disposition of the sheared stock.

14. In an apparatus for eifecting continuous travel of bar stockmaterial along a given path, a pair of arms, each arm being mounted forrocking movement about an axis extending transversely of and spaced fromthe path of the stock, relatively movable gripping elements carried byeach arm and spaced from the rocking axis thereof and driven by theassociated arm in opposite directions substantially lineally along saidpath as the arm rocks, means cooperable with the elements of each armfor clamping the same into firm gripping relation to the stock duritmrocking movement of the associate arm in the direction of travel of thestock and for releasing the same upon rocking movement of the arm in theopposite direction, said arms being spaced apart along the path oftravel, and means for driving said arms successively and in anoverlapping timed relation to each other to effect driving engagement ofthe gripping elements of one arm with the stock and driving of the stockthereby prior to discontinuing the driving engagement the grippingelements of the other arm with the stock and the releasing of the stockby the elements of the other arm.

15. In an apparatus for effecting uniform continuous travel of bar stockmaterial along a given path, a pair of arms, each arm being mounted forrocking movement about an axis extending transversely of and spaced fromthe path of the stock, relative movable gripping elements carried byeach arm and spaced from the associated rocking axis thereof and beingdriven by the associated arm in opposite directions substantiallylineally along said path as the arm rocks, means cooperable with theelements for clamping the same into firm gripping relation to the stockduring rocking movement of the arm in the direction of travel of thestock and for releasing the same upon rocking movement of the arm in theopposite direction, said arms being spaced apart along the path oftravel, means for rocking said arms successively in an overlapping timedrelation to each other to effect driving engagement of the grippingelements of one arm with the stock prior to release of the elements ofthe other arm, said last named means being operative to rock theassociated arms at continuously changing speeds during rocking movementthereof in the direction of travel of the stock for effecting uniformlineal motion of the elements associated therewith.

16. In an apparatus for eflecting travel of bar stock material along agiven path comprising an arm mounted for rocking movement about an axisextending transversely of and spaced from the path of the stock, a setof relative movable gripping elements moved in opposite directions bythe arm and spaced thereby from the rocking axis, means mounting saidset of elements on the arm for concurrent limited movement radially ofthe axis of the arm and for rocking movement relative to the arm aboutan axis parallel to the rocking axis, whereby the set of elements maymove substantially lineally along said path as the arm rocks, meanscooperable with the elements for clamping the same into firm grippingrelation to the stock during rocking movement of the arm in thedirection of travel of the stock and for releasing the same upon rockingmovement of the arm in the opposite direction, means for rocking saidarm in the direction of travel to eifect driving engagement of thegripping elements with the stock, and means to return the arm in theopposite direction.

'17. In a continuous stock drawing machine, means for producing travelof the wire along a given path comprising a power driven arm mounted forlimited rocking movement about an axis extending transversely of thepath of travel of wire and spaced therefrom, said arm having portionsspaced apart from each other and at opposite sides of the path of travelof the stock, relatively movable wire gripping elements mounted betweensaid portion and mounted in each portion for limited radial sliding androcking movement relative to the arms, means constraining the elementsto move in a path coincident with the path of travel of the wire, theaxis of the rocking movement of the gripping elements relative to thearms at all times intersecting the axis of travel of the wire, wherebythe gripping elements exert only a lineal drawing force on the wire.

18. In a machine for drawing long metal rod stock, a drawing die, aplurality of alternately operating gripping devices positioned beyondthe die in the direction of travel of the stock and positively grippingthe stock beyond the die and pulling it through the die at a uniformrate of speed, said devices comprising a pair of arms, each arm beingmounted for rocking movement about an axis extending transversely of andspaced from the path of travel of the stock, relatively movable grippingelements carried by each arm and spaced from the rocking axis thereofand driven by the associated arm in opposite directions substantiallylineally along said path as the associated arm rocks, means cooperablewith the elements of each arm for clamping the same into firm grippingrelation to the stock during rocking movement of the associated arm inthe direction of travel of the stock and for releasing the same uponrocking movement of the arm in opposite direction, said arms beingspaced apart along the path of travel and each arm being connected toits associated gripping elements at each side of the path 0! travel, andmeans for driving said arms successively in an overlapping time relationto each other to effect driving engagement of the gripping elements ofone arm with the stock and driving of the stock thereby prior toreleasing of the stock by the elements of the other arm.

WILLIAM W. CRILEY. FREDERICK W. GAINES, 3RD.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No 2,126 ,l 55.

August 9 95 HILLIAH H. CHILE Y, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 6,-first column, line 56, claim 3, for the-words "formod wire road dramstock; page 7, second column, line 70, claim 1, for the word "associate"read associated; andthat the said Letters Patent shouldbo read with thisso! rection therein that the same may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of November, A. D. 1958.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdal e Acting Commissioner of Patents.

relation to each other to effect driving engagement of the grippingelements of one arm with the stock and driving of the stock therebyprior to discontinuing the driving engagement the gripping elements ofthe other arm with the stock and the releasing of the stock by theelements of the other arm.

15. In an apparatus for effecting uniform continuous travel of bar stockmaterial along a given path, a pair of arms, each arm being mounted forrocking movement about an axis extending transversely of and spaced fromthe path of the stock, relative movable gripping elements carried byeach arm and spaced from the associated rocking axis thereof and beingdriven by the associated arm in opposite directions substantiallylineally along said path as the arm rocks, means cooperable with theelements for clamping the same into firm gripping relation to the stockduring rocking movement of the arm in the direction of travel of thestock and for releasing the same upon rocking movement of the arm in theopposite direction, said arms being spaced apart along the path oftravel, means for rocking said arms successively in an overlapping timedrelation to each other to effect driving engagement of the grippingelements of one arm with the stock prior to release of the elements ofthe other arm, said last named means being operative to rock theassociated arms at continuously changing speeds during rocking movementthereof in the direction of travel of the stock for effecting uniformlineal motion of the elements associated therewith.

16. In an apparatus for eflecting travel of bar stock material along agiven path comprising an arm mounted for rocking movement about an axisextending transversely of and spaced from the path of the stock, a setof relative movable gripping elements moved in opposite directions bythe arm and spaced thereby from the rocking axis, means mounting saidset of elements on the arm for concurrent limited movement radially ofthe axis of the arm and for rocking movement relative to the arm aboutan axis parallel to the rocking axis, whereby the set of elements maymove substantially lineally along said path as the arm rocks, meanscooperable with the elements for clamping the same into firm grippingrelation to the stock during rocking movement of the arm in thedirection of travel of the stock and for releasing the same upon rockingmovement of the arm in the opposite direction, means for rocking saidarm in the direction of travel to eifect driving engagement of thegripping elements with the stock, and means to return the arm in theopposite direction.

'17. In a continuous stock drawing machine, means for producing travelof the wire along a given path comprising a power driven arm mounted forlimited rocking movement about an axis extending transversely of thepath of travel of wire and spaced therefrom, said arm having portionsspaced apart from each other and at opposite sides of the path of travelof the stock, relatively movable wire gripping elements mounted betweensaid portion and mounted in each portion for limited radial sliding androcking movement relative to the arms, means constraining the elementsto move in a path coincident with the path of travel of the wire, theaxis of the rocking movement of the gripping elements relative to thearms at all times intersecting the axis of travel of the wire, wherebythe gripping elements exert only a lineal drawing force on the wire.

18. In a machine for drawing long metal rod stock, a drawing die, aplurality of alternately operating gripping devices positioned beyondthe die in the direction of travel of the stock and positively grippingthe stock beyond the die and pulling it through the die at a uniformrate of speed, said devices comprising a pair of arms, each arm beingmounted for rocking movement about an axis extending transversely of andspaced from the path of travel of the stock, relatively movable grippingelements carried by each arm and spaced from the rocking axis thereofand driven by the associated arm in opposite directions substantiallylineally along said path as the associated arm rocks, means cooperablewith the elements of each arm for clamping the same into firm grippingrelation to the stock during rocking movement of the associated arm inthe direction of travel of the stock and for releasing the same uponrocking movement of the arm in opposite direction, said arms beingspaced apart along the path of travel and each arm being connected toits associated gripping elements at each side of the path 0! travel, andmeans for driving said arms successively in an overlapping time relationto each other to effect driving engagement of the gripping elements ofone arm with the stock and driving of the stock thereby prior toreleasing of the stock by the elements of the other arm.

WILLIAM W. CRILEY. FREDERICK W. GAINES, 3RD.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No 2,126 ,l 55.

August 9 95 HILLIAH H. CHILE Y, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 6,-first column, line 56, claim 3, for the-words "formod wire road dramstock; page 7, second column, line 70, claim 1, for the word "associate"read associated; andthat the said Letters Patent shouldbo read with thisso! rection therein that the same may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of November, A. D. 1958.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdal e Acting Commissioner of Patents.

